Clifford (upper body) was sent to AHL Ontario on a conditioning assignment.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford has been out of the lineup since Dec. 6, missing 23 contests so far. A conditioning stint, regardless of whether or not he suits up in a game for Ontario, is a good sign for the 25-year-old to return to action. Even when the winger gets healthy, don't expect him to start putting up huge numbers as he has just three points in 26 outings this season.

Clifford (upper body) still has yet to resume skating with the team but feels like he is making progress, LA Kings Insider reports. "We're just following protocol and obviously taking it one day at a time. It's just one of those things that you've got to be patient with. Things, they feel like they're on the up, so it's a good sign," Clifford said.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford's been sidelined since December 6 and has been skating at the end of practices for over a week now but still hasn't been cleared to resume the contact portion of practice.

Clifford (upper body) was on the ice following the morning skate Thursday, Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford continues to rehab the upper-body ailment which has kept him from playing since Dec. 6, when he originally sustained the injury. Based on this development, it appears that Clifford still has to clear some hurdles and practice with the team before the Kings would consider plugging him back into the lineup.

Clifford, who has been sidelined since December 6, does not appear to be nearing a return, LA Kings Insider reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford hasn't returned to practice since taking an elbow to the face and doesn't appear to be nearing a return any time soon.

Clifford (upper body) was placed on the injured reserve list Monday, retroactive to Dec. 6, Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford has missed the past three games with an upper-body injury and now it appears he'll miss additional time off the ice until the team denotes otherwise. In his absence, Derek Forbort and Andy Andreoff could be in store for more playing time at left wing.

Clifford (upper body) didn't take part in line rushes during pregame warmups, indicating he won't play Saturday against the Sabres, ESPN.com's Joe McDonald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford has now missed three-consecutive games with an upper-body injury he suffered in Sunday's tilt against the Lightning. The Kings have another quick turnaround, as they're scheduled to face Ottawa on Monday evening, so Clifford would likely need to return to practice Sunday in order to have any chance of returning to LA's lineup for that contest.

Clifford (upper body) is out Friday against the Penguins, Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford is apparently still feeling the effects of the elbow he took to the face from Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman in Sunday's tilt against the Lightning. The 24-year-old winger will hope to return to action Saturday against Buffalo, but his status for that contest appears to be iffy at best at this juncture.

Clifford (upper body) will not play in Tuesday evening's road tilt with the Blue Jackets, Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clifford is still recovering from taking an elbow to the face from Victor Hedman on Sunday. He did participate in Tuesday morning's skate. Without Clifford, the Kings will play seven defensemen and 11 forwards against Columbus. Clifford's next chance to return to action will come Friday when the Kings play at Pittsburgh.

Clifford, who was initially credited with a goal and assist in Tuesday's win over the Avalanche, had his stat line adjusted to two goals and no assists after an official review, Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider reports. The scorer determined that the Kings' third goal of the first period, which had been awarded to Brayden McNabb, never deflected off of the defenseman's stick. As a result, the tally ended up going to Clifford, who was the last player to touch the puck. It goes down as the first game-winning goal for Clifford, who also tied his career high with two goals by finding twine in the second period.

Clifford agreed to a five-year, $8 million extension with the Kings on Wednesday, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports. A day after locking up Jordan Nolan to a three-year extension, Kings GM Dean Lombardi will bring another bottom-six forward into the fold on a multi-year pact. Clifford, 24, has tallied three goals and 10 points in 57 games, but is one of the Kings' more prolific contributors in the hits (148) and PIM (66) categories. He'll stick around in a complementary role for the club until the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.